‘A Christmas Carol' will benefit Robert W. Souza Scholarship program

Harriman - This holiday season, the Robert W. Souza Scholarship for the Performing Arts offers its latest presentation, “Mr. Dickens Reads ‘A Christmas Carol.’” Based largely on Charles Dickens’ own “reading script” which he used when presenting this story himself, this staged reading will be presented in five performances at the Sapphire Elementary Little Theater, 159 Harriman Heights Road, in Harriman, beginning Dec. 15. Monroe-Woodbury School Board President Jon Huberth will star in this presentation and Cindy Topps will direct. Incidental choral music for the show will be coordinated by M-W music teacher Michele George. Bob Curtis, chairman of the scholarship fund and the show’s producer, noted that the scholarship was established 27 years ago in memory of Bob Souza, a beloved musician and music teacher in the Monroe-Woodbury School District. During his 14 years at M-W, Souza served as high school and middle school stage band director, music team leader, and then district music coordinator. He also arranged and conducted music for the district’s scholarship productions and student musicals. Colleagues have described Souza as a “teachers’ teacher” and parents and students at the time noted especially his courage and humanity. A “terrific trumpet player,” according to his peers, he also arranged music for Jimmy Sturr’s orchestra in addition to his work in the school district. Souza Scholarship Awards are made annually to worthy Monroe-Woodbury students in grades 7 to 12. To date, more than $200,000 in scholarships have been awarded to local students. “It’s a tribute to Bob Souza that this scholarship fund has survived for so long and is still enthusiastically supported by the district staff, its students and the community,” said Curtis. “I hope the community will turn out to support this worthy cause and enjoy a little holiday cheer along the way.” Show times are 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15 and Sunday, Dec. 16, 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 23, and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays Dec. 15 and 22. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. For more information, call 928-2613.